Ball-shaped jewelry and method of making same

ABSTRACT

A jewelry includes a body made from a metal and having a hollow interior. The body has a seamless exterior wall substantially enclosing the hollow interior. The wall includes at least one opening which extends completely through the wall so as to define a design formed directly in the wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jewelry and, more specifically, to aball-shaped jewelry and a method of making same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the jewelry industry, there is a constant need to make a jewelryhaving a new and unique design or features. It is believed that theprior art is devoid of a jewelry including a ball-shaped exterior wallwhich has a hollow interior therein and which is provided with aplurality of slots or openings arranged and formed therethrough forforming a complex design directly in the curved wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings ofthe prior art discussed above by providing a new and improved jewelryincluding a body which is made from a metal and which has a hollowinterior. The body has a seamless exterior wall substantially enclosingthe hollow interior. The wall includes at least one opening whichextends completely through the wall so as to define a design directly inthe wall.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, a method formaking the foregoing jewelry is provided. More particularly, the methodincludes the steps of designing the body with the use of a computer andmaking an expendable model of the body with the use of athree-dimensional model forming machine. A mold is then formed using themodel. A molten metal is thereafter poured into the mold so as to formthe body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodimentconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pendant constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pendant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pendant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the pendant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the pendant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the pendant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the pendant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 8-8 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, of the pendant shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a plurality of wax models mounted on asprue structure to form a mold;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cylinder with the wax models ofFIG. 9 positioned therein;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, except that investment has beenpoured into the cylinder;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mold formed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 13-13 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, of a section of the mold shownin FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, except that molten metal has beenpoured into the mold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention can be used in conjunction with any typeof jewelry, it is particularly suitable for use in connection with apendant. Accordingly, the present invention will be describedhereinafter in connection with a pendant. It should be understood,however, that the following description is only meant to be illustrativeof the present invention and is not meant to limit the scope of thepresent invention, which has applicability to other types of jewelries.

FIG. 1 shows a pendant 10 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. More particularly, the pendant 10 includes a body 12 having agenerally spherical or spheroidal shape. The body 12 includes an outerwall 14 defining the body's overall spherical or spheroidal shape, aswell as a hollow interior 16 (see FIG. 8) enclosed by the wall 14. Thewall 14 has an outer surface 18 and an inner surface 20 (see FIG. 8)which substantially corresponds, in shape, to the outer surface 18 andhence has a spherical or spheroidal shape. The wall 14 is provided witha substantially uniform thickness (i.e., the distance between the outerand inner surfaces 18, 20) along the entire inner and/or outer surfaces18, 20. The body 12 in its entirety is formed monolithically such thatit is seamless substantially along the entire inner and outer surfaces18, 20 (i.e., the body 12 is formed as a single, monolithic piece and isnot therefore formed by a plurality of sections or pieces welded,soldered or otherwise joined together).

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, slots or openings 22 are formed in the wall14. More particularly, the slots 22 extend completely through the wall14 in a generally radial direction so as to define a predetermineddesign, such as a person's name, a logo and other indicia. For instance,the slots 22 can be sized, shaped and arranged so as to form the name“JENNIFER”, each one or set of the slots 22 corresponding to one of theletters of the name “JENNIFFER”.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the body 12 includes holes 24, 26 extendingcompletely through the wall 14 between the inner and outer surfaces 18,20. The holes 24, 26 are sized and shaped so as to permit a necklace,loop or other flexible wire 28 to extend through the body 12, therebyallowing the pendant 10 to be removably mounted to the necklace 28 suchthat it can be worn by a wearer. Portions 30, 32 of the wall 14 definethe holes 24, 26, respectively, of the body 12. Annular reinforcementprojections 34, 36 extend radially inwardly from the portions 30, 32,respectively, such that they circumscribe the holes 24, 26,respectively. The reinforcement projections 34, 36 function to reinforcethe portions 30, 32, respectively, of the wall 14 and thereby inhibitthe wall 14 from being damaged (e.g., wrinkled or crimpled) by thenecklace 28 extending through the body 12. Each of the reinforcementprojections 34, 36 is formed monolithically with the rest of the body12.

A method for making the pendant 10 in accordance with the presentinvention will be discussed hereinbelow. The three dimensional (3-D)design of the pendant 10 is formed using a conventional computer and aconventional three dimensional (3-D) modeling software, such as thosesold by TLM, Inc. DBA Robert McNeel & Associates, Seattle, Wash., underthe trademark “RHINOCEROS”. The design formed with the use of thecomputer and software is then fed to a conventional three-dimensionalprinter (i.e., a 3-D wax-structure making device), such as 3-D printerssold by 3D Systems, Inc. under model no. “INVISION HR 3-D”. In response,the printer forms a wax model 38 (see FIG. 9) from a conventional waxmaterial. When formed by the printer, the wax model 38 is supported on asupport material (not shown) which is removed from the wax model 38. Thewax model 38 formed in the foregoing manner has a structurecorresponding to the design of the pendant 10.

After multiple wax models 38 have been made, they are used forconstructing a mold or molds in a conventional manner so as to makecorresponding jewelry products. More particularly, each of the models 38is attached to a support structure 40 (see FIG. 9), which is made from aconventional expendable material, such as wax. The support structure 40includes a plate 42, a support column 44, which depends from the plate42, and a plurality of wax rods or sprues 46, each of which is mountedto the support column 44. After each of the models 38 has been attachedto a corresponding one of the sprues 46, the support structure 40 isturned upside down, and a cylinder 48 is placed around the models 38such that the plate 42 defines the base of the cylinder 48 (see FIG.10). Investment 50 in slurry form having a conventional composition(e.g., a ceramic material, plaster, etc.) is poured into the cylinder 48through an open end thereof so as to fill voids in the cylinder 48,including voids contained in the wax models 38 (see FIG. 11). Oncedried, the investment 50 contained in the cylinder 48 is subjected tolow to moderate heat so as to melt away the support structure 40 (i.e.,the plate 42, the support column 44 and the sprues 46) and the models 38and to thereby remove same from the investment 50, forming a mold 52having channels 54, 56 and mold cavities 58 (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Moreparticularly, the channels 54, 56 are formed by the displacement of thesupport column 44 and the sprues 46, respectively, while the moldcavities 58 are formed by the displacement of the models 38. The mold 52is then flipped such that the channels 56 are angled downwardly (seeFIGS. 12 and 13), and molten metal 60 (e.g., gold, silver, etc.) ispoured into the channel 54 of the mold 52 such that it flows into thechannels 56 and then into the mold cavities 58 (see FIG. 14). Once eachof the mold cavities 58 is filled with the molten metal 60 and the metal60 solidifies, the mold 52 is dipped in water and is allowed todisintegrate, leaving a metal structure (not shown) having a hollowmetal balls. The metal balls are cut from the rest of the metalstructure and undergo a conventional finishing process (e.g., filing andpolishing). Each of the finished balls corresponds to the pendant 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides numerousadvantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, the presentinvention provides a jewelry having a ball-shaped body which includes ahollow interior enclosed therein. The slots 22 formed in the wall 14cooperate to provide a design having a “floating” appearance (i.e. theletters formed by the slots 22 appear to be “floating” on the curvedsurface of the wall 14). Moreover, the method of the present inventionmakes it relatively simple and efficient to manufacture a jewelry havinga complicated three-dimensional design.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerousmodifications and variations. For instance, the present invention can beused in conjunction with other types of jewelries, such as earrings.Moreover, the pendant 10 can be provided with a shape other than thespherical or spheroidal shape shown in FIGS. 1-8 (e.g., an oval, cube,pyramid, cone, cylinder, etc.). In addition, the slots 22 can bemodified such that they form different words, phrases or design (e.g.,other names, such as “SAMANTHA”, “KATHERINE”, etc.). The models 38 canalso be made from any conventional materials. Further, the method forforming a mold from wax models can be modified and/or replaced withother conventional methods for making a mold from a wax model.

It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merelyexemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. All such variations and modifications, including thosediscussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A jewelry comprising a body made from a metal and having a hollowinterior, said body having a seamless exterior wall substantiallyenclosing said hollow interior, said wall including at least one openingwhich extends completely through said wall so as to define a designformed directly in said wall.
 2. The jewelry of claim 1, wherein saidwall has a generally spheroidal shape.
 3. The jewelry of claim 2,wherein said wall has a hole for allowing a wire to extend therethoughso as to mount said body to the wire.
 4. The jewelry of claim 3, whereinsaid wall includes an annular projection extending substantiallyradially inwardly from said wall and surrounding said hole forreinforcing a portion of said wall defining said hole.
 5. The jewelry ofclaim 4, wherein said annular projection is formed monolithically withsaid wall.
 6. The jewelry of claim 5, wherein said at least one openingincludes a plurality of openings, each of which extends completelythrough said wall, said plurality of openings defining a person's name.7. The jewelry of claim 2, wherein said at least one opening includes aplurality of openings, each of which extends completely through saidwall, said plurality of openings defining a person's name.
 8. A methodfor making a jewelry which has a substantially enclosed body made from ametal and having a hollow interior, the body having a seamless exteriorwall substantially enclosing the hollow interior, the wall including atleast one opening which extends completely through the wall so as todefine a design pattern formed directly in the wall, said methodcomprising the steps of: forming a design corresponding to the body withthe use of a computer; making an expendable model corresponding to thedesign with the use of a three-dimensional model forming machine;forming a mold with the use of the model; and pouring molten metal intothe mold so as to form the body.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thewall has a generally spheroidal shape.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the wall has a hole for allowing a wire to extend therethough soas to mount the body to the wire.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinthe wall includes an annular projection extending substantially radiallyinwardly from the wall and surrounding the hole for reinforcing aportion of the wall defining the hole.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the annular projection is formed monolithically with the wall.13. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one opening includes aplurality of openings, each of which extends completely through thewall, the plurality of openings defining a person's name.
 14. The methodof claim 9, wherein said at least one opening includes a plurality ofopenings, each of which extends completely through the wall, theplurality of openings defining a person's name.